ACT leader David Seymour says he’s had a “very positive” meeting with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon as the coalition partners disagree over a decision to write to police for Philip Polkinghorne after his wife’s death.
Yesterday, Luxon said his coalition partner had made an “ill-advised” decision to write to police amid an active investigation three years ago. But the PM’s remarks were criticised soon after by Seymour himself, saying Luxon “didn’t know all of the facts” in the case.
It was followed by ACT leader’s attempt to drive a Land Rover up the stairs of Parliament yesterday – a move deemed a “political sideshow” by Luxon.
The 1948 Series One, believed to be the oldest in NZ, was at Parliament as part of a fundraising effort of Manaaki Manawa – The Centre for Heart Research. (Source: 1News)
Seymour, who will take over being deputy prime minister in three months, said he had since met with the Prime Minister and had a “very constructive” discussion.
“We had a scheduled meeting. It was a very constructive meeting,” he said.
“It was very positive. It’s about how we make sure that we’re improving the economy, because that’s what New Zealanders are concerned about, in order that this government can be a success.”
The latest 1News poll showed the National-ACT-NZ First coalition would lose power if an election was held today, with the left bloc squeaking back into power.
About 50% of voters said the country was going in the wrong direction under the coalition government, versus 39% who said it was going in the right direction.
1News Verian Poll revealed National has fallen to 34% compared to their previous result of 37% recorded in December. (Source: Breakfast)
Speaking to media today, Luxon said he had a “good chat” with the ACT leader last night, but refused to talk about the details of the “constructive” conversation. He told media: “I’m frankly, focused on other things. I don’t think too deeply about David Seymour.”
The PM added he was solely focused on “economic growth, growth, growth” this year.
Seymour on Polkinghorne letter
At the time Seymour sent the letter he said he knew enough about the case to do so – but had he known he’d later be prosecuted he wouldn’t have communicated with police about the Epsom local’s concerns.
“At that time, I didn’t know that he was going to be prosecuted, and I didn’t seek to intervene in whether he was being prosecuted, I knew the facts that were relevant for the comments that I made, and that’s my point.
“Obviously not everyone knows everything at any time, however the question is, do you know enough to make the comments that you make? And I think in the case of me, I did.”
Polkinghorne was found not guilty last year of murdering his wife Pauline Hanna.
Speaking today, the Epsom MP added Luxon did not have the full facts about the case and that “there are aspects of constituency cases which are confidential”, which would make it ill-advised for the Prime Minister to comment on his actions.
“We’ve got one event that two people disagree with about – they’ve expressed their disagreement. It doesn’t actually stop them doing everything else,” he said.
In April 2022, Seymour wrote to police on behalf of Polkinghorne amid several concerns raised by the Remuera eye surgeon over the investigation into his wife’s unexplained death. He was charged with his wife’s murder four months later.
Polkinghorne has since been acquitted over the April 2021 death.
Luxon said of the letter: “Personally, I thought sending the letter was ill-advised. He is aware of my views on that. As you know, he wasn’t a Cabinet minister at the time.”
Land Rover stunt: ‘I assumed that it would be okay’
Speaking to media, Seymour said he hadn’t sought permission for the charity stunt, which saw him attempt to drive a Land Rover up and onto the steps of Parliament yesterday afternoon.
Poll results report from 1News Political Reporter Benedict Collins and comment from 1News Political Editor Maiki Sherman. (Source: 1News)
“No, I assumed that it would be okay to do something that was for a good cause and wasn’t going to hurt anyone,” he told media today.
The 1948 Land Rover Series I, believed to be the oldest in NZ, was at Parliament as part of a fundraising effort for Manaaki Manawa – The Centre for Heart Research.
Owner and research scientist Julian Paton said the car was being driven from Dunedin to Auckland to raise money for the project.
The same vehicle was brought to Parliament more than 40 years ago and was driven up the steps. As Seymour hopped in and went to drive up the steps, a security guard came over and told him to stop.
“Minister don’t, the Speaker said no,” he said to Seymour, who reversed the Land Rover off the steps.
